Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S6
Starting at
£81.32£399.00 new
iPhone XS
Starting at
£138.35£559.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S6 and iPhone XS?
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy S6 starts at £81.32, £57.03 less than the iPhone XS. The iPhone XS is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) on the Galaxy S6, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS.
- The iPhone XS has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.
- The iPhone XS has a bigger battery: 2658 mAh vs 2550 mAh.
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS specs
The Galaxy S6 and iPhone XS differ in several key areas that affect daily use. The Galaxy S6 suits you if you want a smaller screen with a higher pixel density and a 16 megapixel main camera for detailed photos. The iPhone XS offers a larger screen, more RAM, and storage options up to 256GB, making it better for multitasking and storing more apps or media. Both phones are unlocked and run on different operating systems, so your choice depends on your preference for Android or iOS and what features matter most to you.
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS price
Colour
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS battery life and software updates
Durability covers how long the phones keep working well, including battery and software support. Both phones have similar battery sizes but slightly different capacities.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S6 has a 2550 mAh battery while the iPhone XS has a 2658 mAh battery. The difference is small but the iPhone XS offers a marginally larger capacity, which may help with longer usage between charges for some users.
Operating System
The Galaxy S6 runs Android and the iPhone XS runs iOS. Your choice here depends on which operating system you prefer and the apps or services you use daily.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS performance
Performance depends on the processor, RAM, and storage. The iPhone XS has more RAM and higher storage options, which help keep more apps open and store more data. The chipsets differ but both provide solid performance for everyday tasks.
RAM Size
The Galaxy S6 has 3 GB of RAM while the iPhone XS comes with 4 GB. The extra RAM in the iPhone XS helps keep more apps open in the background and supports smoother multitasking.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S6 is available with 32 GB of storage, suitable for everyday use with basic apps and media. The iPhone XS offers larger storage options of 64 GB and 256 GB, ideal if you store many photos, videos, or apps.
Chipset
The Galaxy S6 features the Exynos 7420 Octa chipset built on 14 nm technology, while the iPhone XS uses the Apple A12 Bionic chipset. Both chipsets handle everyday activities well, with the iPhone XS chipset being designed to support newer software and features.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS screen
Screen quality affects how you view photos, videos, and apps. The Galaxy S6 has a sharper screen with more pixels in a smaller size, while the iPhone XS has a larger screen with a slightly lower resolution but uses Apple's Super Retina OLED technology.
Screen Size
The Galaxy S6 has a 5.1 inch screen, compact and easy to handle with one hand. The iPhone XS offers a larger 5.8 inch screen, giving you more room for watching videos, browsing, and typing.
Resolution
The Galaxy S6 has a resolution of 1440 by 2560 pixels, which results in a high pixel density and sharp image quality on its smaller screen. The iPhone XS has a resolution of 1125 by 2436 pixels, providing slightly fewer pixels but on a bigger display.
Screen Type
The Galaxy S6 uses Super AMOLED technology, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks. The iPhone XS features a Super Retina OLED screen which offers excellent colour accuracy and brightness, optimised for iOS.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS camera
Camera quality is important for photos and video calls. The Galaxy S6 has a higher megapixel count on the main camera, while the iPhone XS offers a higher resolution front camera for selfies and video chats.
Main Camera
The Galaxy S6 has a 16 megapixel main camera, which can capture more detail in photos. The iPhone XS has a 12 megapixel main camera, which balances resolution with other imaging features.
Front Camera
The Galaxy S6's front camera is 5 megapixels, suitable for standard selfies and video calls. The iPhone XS offers a 7 megapixel front camera, which can deliver sharper and clearer images for selfies and video chats.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS size and design
Other features include size, weight, SIM options, and network compatibility. Both phones support 4G and are unlocked, but the iPhone XS offers eSIM support and more storage options, which may suit different needs.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy S6 uses a physical SIM card, while the iPhone XS supports both a physical SIM card and eSIM. The eSIM option on the iPhone XS can be convenient if you want to use two phone numbers or switch carriers without changing a physical SIM.
Weight and Size
The Galaxy S6 weighs 138 g and measures 143.4 mm in height, 70.5 mm in width, and 6.8 mm in depth, making it lighter and slightly thinner. The iPhone XS weighs 177 g, is 143.6 mm tall, 70.9 mm wide, and 7.7 mm deep, offering a larger but heavier build.
Storage Capacity
The Galaxy S6 is stocked with 32 GB storage. The iPhone XS comes with 64 GB or 256 GB options, offering more space for apps, media, and files.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S6 or iPhone XS: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S6 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £81.32, £57.03 less than the iPhone XS
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (16 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (138 g vs 177 g)
Buy the iPhone XS if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (2658 mAh vs 2550 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (5.8 inch vs 5.1 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the Galaxy S6 often mention the phone looks like new and works well once set up, with some noting that it is ready to use simply by inserting a SIM card. There are comments about the phone sometimes coming with the wrong charger cable or being locked to a network despite being sold as unlocked. The screen and battery receive positive remarks from those satisfied with their purchase.
Buyers of the iPhone XS describe it as looking perfect or like new, with good battery life and smooth performance. Many highlight the phone's condition, with one mentioning a faint mark that is barely noticeable. The camera is appreciated, especially the front camera for selfies. A few customers mention minor issues such as scratches or hardware faults, but most are pleased with the phone's speed and size.
The Galaxy S6 suits those who prefer a lighter, smaller phone with a high-resolution screen and are comfortable with Android. The iPhone XS fits buyers wanting a larger screen, greater storage, and the latest iOS updates, along with a higher resolution front camera.
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS FAQs
Galaxy S6 vs iPhone XS comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) on the Galaxy S6, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS. The iPhone XS has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.
The Galaxy S6 is cheaper refurbished, from £81.32 compared with £138.35 for the iPhone XS.
The iPhone XS has a bigger battery: 2658 mAh vs 2550 mAh.
The Galaxy S6 has a higher-resolution main camera: 16 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S6 ended in Jun 2018. Updates for the iPhone XS ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S6 comes in 32GB, and the iPhone XS in 64GB and 256GB.
